Time-controlled mechanism.



W. H. GREENLEAF.

HME CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

APPLIUJFION FILED JAN 14. 191'5 1,164,602. Patented Dec. H, 1915.

is i T- Y 27 1a" 20 32 6O 14 16 "L UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

-WILLIAM H, GREENLEAF, O1 HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ABSIGNOR TO THE HARTFORD CLOCK COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION 01 CONNECTICUT.

TIME-CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

Application filed January 14, 1915.

To all echo mv it may concern Be it known that I, IVILLIAM H. GREEN- LEAF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford. in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'lime-Controlled Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to time-controlled mechanism. A structure involving my invention can be employed with advantage in many different connections, one of several illustrations of which, is for winding a time-piece.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification I have shown in detail one of the several convenient forms of embodiment of the invention, which to enable those skilled in the art to practice the same will be set forth fully in the following description. I do not restrict myself to this disclosure; I may depart therefrom in several respects within the scope of the invention defined by the claims following said description.

Referring to said drawings: Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a time-piece involving my invention and also show diagrammatically certain circuits and a secondary timepiece. Fig. 2 is a practically similar view with the coils of the magnet removed. Fig. 3 is an elevation as seen from the right in Figs. 1 and 2, with a portion in section.

Like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings I have shown a time piece with which may be associated one or more secondary time pieces as will hereinafter appear. Said time-piece has as a part thereof, the main arbor 2 cooperative with which is the usual time train and other adjuncts, except the main spring, inclosed in the customary case. Said case in the organization shown is covered with insulation as at 3, and the insulation may consist of hard rubber, porcelain, or any other suitable substance or composition of substances. In Fig. 3 I have shown the dial 4: and hands 5 of the time-piece or clock, which latter in practice, will be generally mounted in a suitable housing or box which I have not L coiled spring 13 the pawl 7 will be operated deemed necessary to illustrate.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

' ,instance by a spring,

Patented Dec. .14, 1915.

Serial No. 2,106.

To effect the winding of the clock for instance by the rotation of the main arbor 2 or otherwise, means involving a pawl and ratchet device may be provided, the arbor 2 as shown having fastened to it exteriorly of the case the ratchet wheel 6 which as represented is intended to make a full turn in each hour, having for this purpose sixty eralelectrically actuated devices suitable for my purpose. The base of said magnet is fastened suitably as by one or more screws, to the outer face of the insulated jacket or covering 3 of the clock case. One end of the armature 10 is pivotally supported by the bracket 12 from which as will be inferred, said armature 10 can swing as can also the extension 8 rigid with and extend- ,ing angularly therefrom.

The power for rotating the ratchet wheel ,6 and therefore the arbor 2 through the agency of the pawl 7 and oscillating arm 8 can be obtained by any suitable motor, for the coiled spring 13 ,answering satisfactorily in this respect, the terminals of said spring being provided with projecting studs 14; and 15, the stud 14 extending freely through a perforation.

in the lug 15 of the base of the magnet 11 .and being threaded to receive the nut 16. This spring 13 in the organization represented constitutes the main spring of the time-piece. The pin or stud 15 extends through a perforation or hole near the free end of the arm or armature extension 8, be- }ing engageable by the screw 17 tapped into said arm from which, as will be evident, the tension of the spring can be regulated.

It will be clear that if the extension 8 be swung down through the influence of the to move the ratchet wheel 6 one tooth.

half that it originally possessed. If the arm.

8 be returned to its initial position by being in the construction shown, swung upward the pawl 7 will be carried therewith so that it can engage a second tooth of the ratchet wheel and at the same time the spring 13' will be rendered properly effective or tensioned to its original or maximum extent to repeat the action, these operations occurring in sequence and being properly controlled as will be hereinafter described.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a main and a shunt circuit, the main circuit being utilized in the operation of the master-clock shown enlarged in said Fig. 1 and in Figs. 2 and 3 and the shunt circuit being employed to effect through the influence of said masterclock the action of a secondary clock or it may be a series of such secondary clocks, as I will hereinafter explain. Fastened suitably to the insulating covering 3 by a screw or otherwise, is the body portion 20 of a contact element 21 shown as a resilient or spring finger. From the body portion of this con tact 21 the wire 22 is shown as extending, being connected with one terminal of the magnet 11, the wire 23 extending from the other terminal of said magnet to the post 24 mounted on the insulating covering 3. From said post 24 the wire 25 leads, being connected with one pole of a suitable source of electrical energy such for instance as the battery 26. From the opposite pole of said battery the wire 27 extends and is connected to the post 28 mounted on the insulating covering 3, the wire 29 extending from said post 28 to the base (hereinafter described) of the switch element 30 constituting a suitable circuit controlling device and mounted as shown, for swinging movement. It will be clear that when the circuit-controlling device or switching element 30 engages the contact 21 the circuit of the magnet 11 will be closed so that said magnet can attract its armature 10 fora reason that will be hereinafter explained. The switching element or contactor 30 as shown is pivotally mounted, the in 31 being provided for this purpose. he mounting of this pin will be hereinafter described. Said switching element is governedby the armature 10 or its equivalent. In the present case the armature moves the switching element, there be ing provision for lost motion between the two which may be secured in any desirable manner, for instance by the means new to be described. Said switching element between its axis of motion and its free or active end has a slot 32 which receives the downward pro ection 33 at the freeend of the armature 10, the width of the slot 32 being greater than that of said projection 33 rovide for said lost motion.

s shown the switching element 30 has above its center of movement the approximately angular converging faces 34: and 35, the face 34 being steeper than the face 35. Cooperative with the switching element is the pawl or latch 35, the tooth of which cooperates with the beveled adjacent end of the swinging switching element, said pawl being pivoted upon thebase of the switch 30 which base may consist of a plate 36 fastened suitably as by one or more screws, to the insulating covering 3, said switching element having a fiatwise engagement with its supporting base or plate 36. Connected with the supporting plate and an extension of the pawl-35 is the coiled operating spring 37'for said pawl. This awl constitutes a suitable means for controlling the switching element 30 as will hereinafter appear.

It will be noted that the face 35 is upon an arc and that said are is struck from the center of motion of the switch element 30, by reason of which the point of the locking detent or pawl 35 when riding along said face will not interpose abnormal resistance to the motion of the switching element. \Vhen, however, the switch element is in circuit opening position the locking pawl or detent will apply pressure sufficient against the face 35 to aid in preventing accidental circuit closing movement of said switch element.

It will be assumed that the switch element 30 is in. circuit closing position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 and that the tooth of the pawl 35' is against the steep face 34. The consequence is that said switch element 30 will be yieldingly but firmly held in circuit closing position. On the energization of the magnet 11, which occurs practically at the conclusion of the advance of the extension 8 as will hereinafter appear, said magnet attracts or advances its armature 10, the armature moving inward, and when it has nearly completed said advanc' ing movement, the projection 33 thereof strikes the inner wall of the slot 32, so that on the final part of said inward movement the projection 33 will positively move said switch element to circuit opening position as shown by full lines in Fig. 2. As the switch element 30 is moved from circuit closing to circuit opening position, the tooth of the pawl 35 rides up the steep face 34 and onto and along the face 35, entering the latter before the switch element reaches its extreme circuit 0 ening position, so that when the tooth of the pawl is against the face 35, said switch element will be held in said circuit opening position. This inward or circuit opening movement of the switching element 30 commenced at the conclusion of the advance of the-ratchet wheel 6 and armature 8 and was brought about as will be hereinafter set forth by the energization of the magnet 11. It will ,be assumedthat the extension -8 has been elevated or moved to its retracted position by the energization of the magnet. At this time it will be evident that the projection 33 is against the left wall of the slot 32. When the extension 8 has reached its extreme elevated position, the spring 13 will be under maximum tension, the circuit at this time being broken, so that as a consequence, the spring 13 can draw down or advance the extension 8 and through the pawl 7 rotate the ratchet wheel 6 in the direction of the arrow the extension 8 in Fig. 2 being shown between its extreme positions. As the extension 8 commences its advancing movement, the projection 33 is caused to leave the left wall of the slot 32 and approach the right wall thereof, the circuit being open during this interval. \Vhen practically half of the advancing movement of the extension 8 has been completed. the projection 33 will engage the outer wall of the slot 32 and will on the continuation of said advancing movement swing the switch element 30 outward to carry the free end thereof against the free end of the contact 21, thus closing the magnet circuit and energizing the magnet, this particular function occurring practi' cally when the extension 8 has completed its forward movement, and when the armature 10 has virtually finished its retractive movement. As the switching element 30 is moved from circuit opening to circuit closing position, the tooth of the pawl 35 rides up the inclined face 35 leaving the latter and entering the face 34 before the switch element 30 has reached its circuit closing position, the circuit closing movement of the switch element 30 being efi'ected through the final retractive movement of the armature 10 under the primary action of the spring 13 acting through the armature extension 8. As soon as the magnet 11 is energized, said magnet attracts or advances its armature 10, but the armature does not on its initial action move the switching element to circuit opening position, the part 30 not being moved until the armature 10 has practically completed its inward or advancing movement, the element 30 in the interval being latched in circuit closing position by the pawl or latch 35. It will, therefore, be evident that the switch element 30 will be held in circuit opening position during the retraction of the armature 10 and that the switch element is not moved to circuit closing position by said armature until the retractive movement of the latter has been completed at which time said armature operates the switch in such manner as to cause its free portion to wipe along the free portion of the contact 21. It will also be obvious that the armature 10 can advance for certain distance without moving the swit h 30 to circuit opening position, by reasor of which the switch element 30 can bemaintained in said circuit closing position until the armature 10 has practically completed its advancing movement and until said armature has practically returned the extension 8 to its extreme retracted position.

There may be cases especially when the organization is mounted on a part subjected to jarring such for instance as an automobile, where it is desirable if not essential that theswitch element 30 or its equivalent be prevented effectually from accidental movement in its different positions, and the means shown for this purpose and now to be described answer satisfactorily in this connection, although other instrumentalities may be utilized to obtain the condition. The pivot pin 31 to which I have referred, extends through a perforation in the top of a bushing 10 rigidly mounted in the timepiece case, and has a stop as the nut 41 thereon. In this bushing 40 and surrounding the pin 31 therein, is a coiled spring 42 acting against the top of the bushing 40 and the nut 11. The head of the pin 31 bears against the upper surface of the switching element 30 and the thrust of the spring 42 is down or in, so that as a consequencethe switching element 30 is yieldingly held against its support or base member 36 to obtain the desired result.

I have already stated the fact that the ratchet wheel 6 is rigid with the main arbor 2 of the time piece and also that in the case of the time piece is the time movement exclusive of the main spring. This time movement as will be understood controls the advance of the arbor 2: that is to say the time movement insures that the arbor 2 on each step will consume a minute of time. This is merely one of several illustrations for the ratchet wheel may be otherwise toothed in which event the step of the ratchet wheel would be of different time. As a matter of fact it is not essential that pawl and ratchetmechanism be employed for turning the arbor or other shaft, the invention not concerning this and other details.

I have alluded to the fact that the time piece or clock presents a master time piece. In Fig. 1 I have shown a secondary time piece as 50 cooperative with the main time piece shown enlarged in Fig. 1 and also in Figs. 2 and 3. This secondary or auxiliary clock 50 has upon it a suitable electrically actuated device as the magnet 51 controlled by the switch element 30 and shunt circuit as will hereinafter appear. The armature of this magnet is denoted by 52 and is retractwhich is prevented by the detent 56. This Y the pawl to rise along a tooth an ratchet wheel is fastened to the minute hand arbor of the secondary clock 50, said minute arbor in turn being geared up to the hour hand arbor by a twelve to one train of gears. On the energization of the magnet .51, the armature 52 thereof is retracted causing back of said tooth, whereby when the magnet is deenergized, the spring 53 will retract the armature 52 and cause the. pawl to operate the ratchet wheel 55 one tooth and necessarily the minute hand a distance equaling to one minute, through the agency of the 1ntervening parts. Through the train of ears to which I have referred, it will be clear on each rotation of the minute hand arbor, the hour hand arbor is caused to rotate onetwelfth of a revolution. From the body portion 20 of the contact member 21 the wire 60 extends, being connected with the post 61, the wire 62 leading from said post to one terminal of the magnet 51 from the opposite terminal of which the wire 63 leads and is connected with that pole 'of the battery 26 opposite to which the wire 27 already described is connected. It, therefore, follows that each time the main circuit including the magnet 11, is closed by the switch element 30 the shunt circuit including the magnet 51 is also closed so as to secure a step movement of the minute hand of the secondary clock.

It will be noticed that the switch element 30 is oscillatory, it having two branches in the present case, the upper branch or arm being very much shorter than the lower branch or arm. It will be remembered that the pendant projection 33 of the armature 10 alternately engages opposite walls of the slot 32 as the armature is attracted by its magnet 11 or moved outward by the power of the spring 13 when the magnet is de'nergized. It will be noted that the projection 33 engages the long arm of the switch lever 30 between the center of motion of the lever and the contact carrying end of said lever, by reason of which an important advantage follows when the armature 10 is attracted by the magnet 11 on the energization of the latter. At such time the armature 10 moves inward and the projection when the magnet has almost reached its inner position gives to the inner wall of the slot 32 a sudden blow, and owing to the relative distances between the point of engagement of said projection with said switch lever, the center of motion of the lever and the contact carrying end of said lever, said contact carrying end is given an exceedingly quick circuit breaking or opening movement, quicker in fact than the motion of the armature itself, the fact being that said contact carrying end travels faster considerably than the armature, so that the possibility of sparking when the switch lever is moved to open position is practically M1. The ratio of movement between the switch lever and the armature may vary so long as the move ment of the contact carrying end of the lever during circuit breaking action is much faster than that of the armature when attracted by its magnet. In the present case this ratio is between five and six on the part of the lever to one on the part of the armature. This same advantage practically follows on the circuit closing movement of the switch lever 30 under the action of the armature when the latter is being moved outward through the influence of the spring 13 or its equivalent. It will be remembered that the yieldable contact arm 20 has been described as consisting of a spring. It will be noted that the contact at the free end of this arm or spring 21 is flat and that the cooperating contact on the switch lever 30 is also flat. This is a feature of considerable importance, especially during circuit closing at which time vthe contact onthe switch lever rocks and slides on the contact on the arm or spring 21, and if at the first mechanical engagement between the contact on the switch lever and that on the arm 21, the former does not find a bright space on the latter, the rocking and sliding will continue until there is aproper electricalconnection between the' two flat contacts.

It should be noted that the pawl 35 and armature 10 jointly move the switch lever 30 to circuit closing position, the pawl 35 as it rides down the stop face 34 imparting to said lever a rapid closing movement, so that the rocking and sliding motion to which I have referred can follow. It may be that the pawl 35' in all cases will not impart to the switch lever 30 sufiicient motion to obtain the proper electrical connection between the contact on the switch lever and that on the arm 21, and in this event the projection 33 by acting against the outer wall of the slot 32 and under the primary influence of the spring 13 will swing the le ver 30 outward sufiiciently to obtain the necessary proper connection. The important consideration is, however, that the engaging faces of the two contacts should be practically flat, that the lever should have sufficient motion on its circuit closing action and that the contact arm 21 should be yieldable. It will be noted that the pawl 35 and the switch lever 30 are mounted on a plate 36 and that the actuating spring 37 for the pawl is connected also with said plate presenting a suitable base for the pawl and the switch lever. This is advantageous in that the plate or base with the pawl and the lever constitute a unit and the plate can therefore be adjusted on the back 3 without disturbing the relation between the pawl and the switch lever.

I desire to call attention to the fact that the magnet 11, its armature, the switch element or lever 34, cooperating contact 20 and spring or motor 13 and certain coacting elements are mounted on one side of the insulating support 3, the time mechanism being on the other side, by reason of which said part 3 insulates the time mechanism incased in the part 3, from the elements of the other or outer side of said part 3.

It will be observed that the face 34 on the upper branch of the switch lever 30 is of some considerable pitch, by reason of which when the tooth of the pawl 35 passes from off the face 35 and enters the face 34, the pawl will ride down said steep face and will thus cause the movement of the switch lever toward circuit closing position in a rapid manner. This pawl 35 also by engaging the face 34 for an instant, or while the lever 30 is in circuit closing position, maintains the relation to prevent accidental circuit opening movement of the switch lever. When, however, the magnet 10 is attracted in the manner already set forth and when the switch lever 30 has nearly reached its circuit opening position, the tooth of the pawl 35' will ride off the stop face 34 and onto and along the curved face 35, the pawl 35 when its tooth engages the face 35 positively holding for a short time the switch lever 30 in circuit opening position and against accidental reactive movement. Owing to the fact that the face 35 is on an are approximately struck from the center of motion of the switch lever 30, there will be no great resistance offered by the pawl 35' to the circuit opening movement of the lever 30 by the armature 10 in the manner already described, there being only resistance enough to prevent accidental reactive move ment of the switch lever 30 when the same is in the open position. This face 35 need not necessarily be struck from the exact center of motion of the switch lever 30.

hat I claim is:

1. The combination of a time piece; electric circuit connections including a magnet and its armature, a switching member and a contact, the switching member being mounted for swinging movement and having a contact; a motor; means for rendering the motor operative by the armature when the armature is attracted by the magnet on the energization of the latter, the motor being adapted to retract the armature when said magnet is deenergized; and means cooperative with the armature for effecting the action of the time piece, said armature being connected with said switching member by a lost motion connection and engaging said switching member, to cause the mo- 2. The combination of the main arbor of,

a time piece; electric circuit connections including a magnet and its armature, aswitch lever and a contact, the switch lever having a contact cooperative with the other contact, and said armature being mounted for swinging movement, a spring connected with the armature, a ratchet wheel connected with said arbor, the magnet when energized by the engagement of said contacts attracting its armature to effect the tensioning of said spring and the spring when the magnet is de'einergized moving the armature away from the magnet, a pawl connected with the armature for operating the ratchet on one of the motions of the armature, the armature having a lost motion connection with the switch lever and engaging the switch lever to cause the motion of said switchlever toward circuit closing and circuit opening positions after the armature has commenced but before it has completed its respective movements, the armature engaging said switch lever between the center of motion and the contact carrying portion thereof.

3. The combination of a time piece; elec tric circuit connections including a magnet and its armature, a switch lever provided with a contact, and a yieldable arm also provided with contact; a motor; means for rendering the motor operative by the armature when the armaturejs attracted by the magnet on the energization of the latter, the motor being adapted to retract the armature when said magnet is deenergized, and means cooperative with the armature for effecting the action of the timepiece, the armature being connected with the switch lever to move said switch lever to circuit opening and circuit closing positions and the contact of the switch lever having a rocking, sliding engagement with the other contact on. circuit closing movement of the switch lever.

4. The combination of a time piece; electric circuit connections including a magnet and its armature, a switching member provided with a contact, and a contact cooperative with the contact on the switching member: a motor; means for rendering the motor operative by the armature when the armature is attracted by the magnet on the energization of the latter, the motor being adapted to retract the armature when said magnet is deiinergized; and means cooperative with the armature for effecting the action of the time piece, said armature having means operatively associated therewith for causing the movement of the switching member to circuit closing and circuit openmg positlons and the contact of the switching member having a rocking, sliding engagement with the other contact on circuit closing movement of said switching member.

5. The combination of the main arbor of a time piece; electric circuit connections including a magnet and its armature, a switch lever and a spring provided with a contact, the active surface of which is approximately flat, the switch lever having a contact cooperative with the other contact and the active surface of which is also approximately fiat, a spring connected with the armature, the armature when attracted by the magnet being adapted to tension the spring and the spring when the magnet is deenergized being adapted to retract the armature, a ratchet connected with said main arbor, a pawl connected with said armature and adapted on one of the motions of the armature to advance said ratchet and thereby said main arbor, the armature having a lost motion connection with the switch lever to cause the switch lever tobe moved toward circuit closing and circuit opening positions after the armature has commenced but before it has completed its respective movements, the flat face of the contact on said switch lever having a rocking, sliding movement against the flat face of the companion contact on circuit closing movement of said switch lever.

6. The combination of a time piece; electric circuit connections including a magnet and its armature, a switching member and a contact; a motor; means for rendering the motor operative by the armature when the armature is attracted by the magnet on the energization of the latter, the motor being adapted to retract the armature when said magnet is deenergized; means cooperative with the armature, for effecting the action of the time piece, said armature being connected with the switching member to move the same to circuit closing and circuit opening positions, a pawl for engaging the switching member to hold the same against accidental reactive movement, in its two positions, a spring for operating the pawl, and a plate upon which said switching member and pawl are pivotally mounted, the spring of the pawl being also connected to the plate, the magnet and its armature being supported independently of said plate and the plate with its parts constituting a unit and being mountable independently of the magnet and armature without disturbing the relation between the switching member and the pawl.

7. The-combination of an insulating body, time controlled means on the inside of the body, the main arbor of the time controlled means extending through the insulating body to the outer side of said body, a magnet and its armature both mounted on the outer side of said body, a contact also mounted on said outer side, a switch lever cooperative with said contact and movable to circuit closing and circuit opening positions by the armature, a motor rendered active by the armature when the armature is attracted by its magnet, the motor when the magnet is denergized retracting the armature, and means operatively connected with the armature for effecting the action of said arbor on one of the motions of the armature.

8. The combination of a time piece; electric circuit connections including a magnet and its armature, a switch lever supported for swinging motion between its ends, one end of the switch lever having converging faces, one on a steep pitch and the other on an arc struck approximately from the center of motion of the switch lever, and a contact engageable by the switch lever; a motor; means for rendering the motor operative by the armature when the armature is attracted by the magnet on the energization of the latter, the motor being adapted to retract the armature when the magnet is deenergized; means cooperative with the armature, for effecting the action of the time piece, the armature acting against the switch lever to cause the motion of the switch lever to circuit closing and circuit opening positions, and a spring actuated pawl to successively engage the faces on the switch lever as the latter is oscillated.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

L. L. MARKEL, HEATH SUT nnLANn. 

